Giants activate Joe Panik from concussion DL

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants welcomed back a significant piece near the top of their lineup and in the middle of their infield on Thursday, activating second baseman Joe Panik from the disabled list.

Panik is expected to be in the lineup when the Giants open a four-game home series against the NL East-leading Washington Nationals.

The Giants designated infielder Grant Green for assignment to clear a roster space for Panik, who was on the 7-day concussion list retroactive to June 28. Panik sustained his concussion on June 18 when struck in the back of the helmet by a pitch from the Rays’ Matt Moore at Tampa Bay but played nine games before reporting symptoms to trainers.

His rehab assignment for Triple-A Sacramento was put on hold once when he felt sluggish, but Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Panik “turned a corner” over the past weekend. He hit .231 in 13 at-bats in four rehab games for the River Cats.

Panik, an All-Star last season, is batting .256 with 22 extra-base hits in 70 games this season.

Check back for more from the intrepid Carl Steward, who is staffing Thursday’s game for Bay Area News Group.

Andrew Baggarly

Andrew Baggarly has documented the most eventful era in San Francisco Giants baseball history, having covered the team since 2004 for th​ree major media outlets including the San Jose Mercury News and the Oakland Tribune​. This is his 20th season as a baseball writer.
​Baggarly is the author of the bestselling book, A Band of Misfits: Tales of the 2010 San Francisco Giants, and the newly published Giant Splash: Bondsian Blasts, World Series Parades and Other Thrilling Moments By the Bay. Baggarly’s other notable life accomplishments include running as the Bratwurst in the Milwaukee Sausage Race and becoming a three-time Jeopardy! champion.

Why is Pena still with us? I’d take either KT or EA. I seriously can’t believe we’re worried about losing him and getting nothing in return. The fact nobody has asked Bochy or Evans about this is only adding to my agitation.

No idea what the FO is doing on this. Seems like EA’s been in Sac for a while now, and doing pretty well so not sure what the hold up is. Maybe they can just put Pena on the DL after taking one in the huevos if it’s about protecting inventory. And with Panik back they don’t need him as much anyway. Although, I’d rather keep Pena over Gillaspie. Better OPS, switch hitter, more defensive flexibility, better glove.

They kept him previously when a lot on here wanted him gone, citing the fact he was out of options and didn’t want to lose him. Now, he seems to be healthy and actually hitting the ball well and we’re keeping him in Sac? It makes absolutely no sense.

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The Giants are interested in Minnesota’s Eduardo Nunez, who has also recently been connected to the Indians. The Twins figure to be wide open to trade scenarios in the coming days, and Nunez would give the Giants some cover at third base, shortstop, second base and in left field. Similarly, the Giants have a bit of interest in Alex Guerrero.
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-MLBTR

That’s what happens with a team with no power, if they traded for Cargo or Jay Bruce and some how gave Pagan away as part of the deal, they would have a legitimate 3 hitter, and when Pence comes back have two established corner Outfielders with Power .

Reynolds, the guy we have been talking about as being part of the solution to the Pen woes, gets his shot. Quality MLB lefty before arm trouble a few years ago.
This is the most expensive relievers market in years.
Good points have been raised about the FO waiting until the offseason to find a new closer.
With a lot of guys coming back to help the offense in the next week or so, that should take some pressure off everybody.
Offseason trades or FA signings might be best for the way the Giants do business, who prefer to hold onto as much homegrown talent as possible. Nobody has any deadline leverage from November to spring training.

Giants will make a deal? won’t they? have to, after Sabs gives an interview and basically says they will and it will be substantial. I’m hoping Bruce, Braun, or some underappreciated Starter or reliever who kills it the rest of the season. I heard Wade Davis is available if you take a bad contract from Royals, done and done if you are the Giants. Time is now. This team, this year can get a title, just needs a little help. Evans make it happen.

KT is a catalyst for this team in a quiet way the same as Hunter Pence is with his emotion. KT is hitting OVER .500 in his last 6 games, over .400 in 10+. Get him up here and put him at 3rd while he is hot!